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“11”: Four decade-old songs renewed in album from children in Syria and the Middle East

UNICEF produces its first ever children’s songs album in cooperation with renowned musician Jad Rahbani and the European Union

11 March 2019

UNICEF

Elias Rahbani Studio - Beirut, Lebanon. Elias Rahbani songs workshop. 50 children in two groups gather to learn singing together with Jad Rahbani as part of the EU regional trust fund - Madad in response to the Syria crisis. This workshop is part of a three-country wide project covering Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. For most of these children, it is their first time in a recording studio.

BEIRUT, 11 March 2019 – “Today is the best day ever. Because I had fun, I sang and learned. I was captivated. I went to another world. Like a dream!”

Assia Mohammed, 11, from Aleppo, now living in Turkey

To mark eight years since the start of the war in Syria, UNICEF is launching its first ever children’s songs album. Featuring children from Syria and neighbouring countries, the album revives old children’s songs originally produced in 1976.

“Children from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey are learning together and are forging friendships through this project,” commented Michael Köhler, Director for the Southern Neighbourhood at the European Commission’s DG NEAR. “Supporting education for children from refugee and local communities is a key priority for the EU. Enabling the young generation to attend school and music workshops together also helps create stronger ties between them, which is important as these children are the building blocks for their societies’ and the region’s future.”

The songs are all-time regional favourites written and composed by the world-famous composer Elias Rahbani during the war in Lebanon. Rahbani is a composer of 6,500 musical pieces. His sons Jad and Ghassan sang and recorded these same songs when they were children.

With generous support from the European Union Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the EU “Madad” Fund, UNICEF and Jad Rahbani held 11 workshops for nearly 300 children, including children with disabilities, to train them and record the re-arranged version of the songs. The workshops included Jordanian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian and Turkish children.

“I remember the impact these songs had on me when I was a child and how much they helped me overcome the fear I felt during the war in Lebanon. This is a very special project and I do hope that this album will bring joy to children and fill their hearts with positive energy,” said Jad Rahbani.

This project is part of UNICEF’s core commitments for children affected by the crisis. UNICEF provides psychosocial support as part of its package of assistance in response to conflicts and crises. The eight-year-long war in Syria means that 8 million children are now in need of assistance including psychosocial support.

“Syrian children have endured what no one should witness. Many are left with invisible scars. Psychosocial support including through a project like “11” with music and art has proven to help children cope with the shocks they’ve lived through and gradually reconnect with their childhoods” said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Without such support, children risk carrying their wounds unhealed with severe consequences when they become adults”.

In the Syria crisis, UNICEF reached 757,000 children with psychosocial support inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. This includes providing opportunities to play, sing, learn and engage in sports and arts.
“11” includes children’s songs about education, the environment, family ties, nutrition, peace and reconstruction. UNICEF hopes to extend the album’s reach beyond children affected by the crisis in Syria to reach as many children as possible across the Middle East and North Africa.

UNICEF has put in place an ambitious roll-out plan to distribute 1 million copies by the end of 2020. Free of charge, the album will be delivered to schools, clubs, music academies and recreation centres across the region.

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About “11”
UNICEF with support from the European Union and in partnership with the renown Lebanese composer Jad Rahbani, have come together to launch “11,” featuring beloved children’s songs from the region. Rahbani re-arranged the songs and they were sung by children in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. The album’s development is part of UNICEF’s psychosocial support programme to help children impacted by the Syria crisis. The project uses music and songs to promote social cohesion. It gives children an opportunity to revive their connection with their heritage and the Arabic-language. The songs are all-time regional favourites written and composed by the world-famous Elias Rahbani in 1976, during the war in Lebanon. They were originally recorded by his two sons: Jad and Ghassan when they were children.
This album was produced thanks to generous support from the European Union Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the EU “Madad” Fund.
The songs are about education, the environment, family ties, nutrition, peace and reconstruction. UNICEF hopes that this album will be enjoyed by children all over the region.

About the EU/MADAD Fund
The Madad Fund is the EU regional trust fund in response to the Syrian crisis. It was established in December 2014, and since then an increasing share of the EU's non-humanitarian support to Syria's neighbouring countries is provided through the EU Trust Fund. The EU Madad Fund helps both Syrian refugees and local communities get better access to education, job opportunities, healthcare, water and protection services. The EU Madad Fund also contributes to a stronger and cohesive society, with a particular focus on children, youth and women.

About Jad Rahbani
Renowned Lebanese composer and producer. Born in Lebanon in 1968, Jad Rahbani, studied piano, harmony, composition and orchestration, and works as a sound engineer and general manager for Elias Rahbani Studios.
He has composed over 3,000 jingles, songs, musicals, sound designs and advertising spots and over 200 music pieces for radio, TV and entertainment shows. His first album ‘Sources’ was launched in 1999, followed by his second in 2001. In Lounge Electro Oriental genre, he rearranged and produced the album ‘Mix Your Senses’ in 2002 followed by ‘A.D.N.R.O.S.E’ in 2004.
Rahbani composed and produced several albums for Lebanese singers. He also composed the original music for a number of TV series.
Rahbani is also a theatre actor, with his first on-stage role in ‘Safrat Al Ahlam,’ written by his father, the world-famous musician, Elias Rahbani.
Rahbani has won many prestigious awards including, the Fidof Internarial prize in 2004, and the Tremplin Charles Trenet prize in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

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